Colo. doctor gives Nigerian teen gift of a lifetime

Colo. doctor gives Nigerian teen gift of a lifetime

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Good doctors often leave an impression on their patients. But every now and then, it’s the other way around.

That’s exactly what 17-year-old Paschal Nwankwo from Nigeria did to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jared Foran. “He left a tremendous impression on me.”

Dr. Foran met Paschal Nwankwo while on a medical mission in Nigeria. Paschal could barely walk, but with the medical facilities being grossly sub-standard and dangerous, Dr. Foran could not safely operate on Nwankwo. “And I had to tell this boy and his mother that I’m not going to be able to do your case. So I give this kid tremendous hope and his mom hope, and rightfully so they were devastated.”

Watching Paschal walking away down the hospital corridor in tears, was too much for the doctor. “He was leaning on his mom with one hand. He had his stick in his other hand, and they’re walking this slow walk down this hall. It was heartbreaking and I literally just lost it. So I said, ‘stop,’ and I had to talk to this kid.”

Dr. Foran did much more than talk. He arranged for Paschal Nwankwo to travel to the united states, to Lakewood, Colo. at the Ortho Colorado Hospital at St. Anthony medical campus.

The trip, operation and following physical therapy cost around $50,000. The bill was paid in full by donations.

Paschal Nwankwo, who is Catholic by faith, says Jesus is the best doctor, but Dr. Foran came in a close second.